Secrets from the Cookie Princess: Blondies

Last spring I had a weekly meeting with a particular group. Nearly every week I would bring in a different treat to share with the group. In fact, the one week I didn't have time to bake anything, I was shocked at the level of disappointment in the room. I will meet with that same group on a weekly basis again this spring, but since a few members of the group have changed and there will be changes to what we accomplish in the spring, we had a planning meeting this fall. I arrived to the meeting room early a couple weeks ago, placed a container of these blondies by the coffee and sodas and started setting up for the meeting. A few moments later, one of the group members came in and the first thing he said was, "Where are your baked goods?" I'm so glad I decided to keep the tradition going!

These are a very easy, very fast and very tasty treat. It's a simple recipe but delivers a sweet, soft, cookie-like bar. And the recipe is super-versatile. You can throw in whatever mix-ins you have on hand. I used mini-chocolate chips, but M&Ms, nuts, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, dried fruit, just about anything will work with this recipe as a base. As I struggled with what to make for the meeting, Beantown Baker rescued me with this recipe, since I already had all the ingredients. Plus they were so easy--only one bowl, no mixer needed! Whip these up the next time you need a last minute dessert--you'll have everything you need and no one needs to know this deliciousness was created at a moment's notice.

Blondies

Ingredients

6 Tablespoons butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (or up to a cup mix-ins of your choice)

In a large microwave safe bowl, melt butter and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Add brown sugar and beat until smooth. Add egg, then vanilla, beating constantly to temper, until incorporated.